Tag: NBA

Durant on Kyrie Irving: ‘It’s a perfect system for him in Boston’

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Kyrie Irving wanted and finally received the trade he requested from Cleveland this week. Irving was sent to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn’s 2018 first-round pick.

Kevin Durant, who made a controversial exit from Oklahoma City to Golden State in 2016, believes Irving to Boston is a good fit:

“It’s a perfect system for him in Boston; it’s a perfect fit. Because he’s a 6-foot-3 Isaiah Thomas, basically, and Isaiah just thrived in that system, and then he got Gordon Hayward and Al Horford, who are gonna be able to make plays for him, too,” Durant told “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” “It’s gonna be pretty sweet. I think it was a great deal. But I just think Kyrie just wanted a place where he can focus on just playing basketball and not worrying about the other drama that comes with.”

I do believe Boston is a good fit for Irving, and I do believe it’s an upgrade over Thomas. However, is it good enough to beat Cleveland? I would say not yet. As long as LeBron James is around in Cleveland, it’s going to be difficult to defeat the Cavaliers in a seven game series, but maybe Danny Ainge has another move up his sleeves.

Celtics’ teammates not fond of Isaiah Thomas?

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According to FOX Sports’ Chris Broussard, some of Isaiah Thomas’ teammates in Boston were not very fond of him.

Thomas, who was traded to the Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving on Tuesday, is expected to replace the scoring load of Irving in Cleveland.

Here is some of what Broussard had to say on FS1’s Undisputed:

“I will tell you this, I spoke to several executives, or texted with several executives (Tuesday night), and a lot of them were saying that a lot of the players in Boston really weren’t that fond of Isaiah,” Broussard said.

Should be interesting to see how Thomas gets along with his teammates in Cleveland. He is now going to LeBron James’ team.  He may have to adjust his game slightly, but he’s playing with LeBron, so life can’t be too bad.

By the way, where was all this talk when the Celtics were marching to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Listen to what Broussard had to say:

 

Twitter reacts to Kyrie Irving to Celtics

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The Cavaliers have finally traded Kyrie Irving on Tuesday. The Cavs trade Irving to the Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn’s 2018 unprotected first-round pick.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Report: Irving to Celtics is done!

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Update: According to Yahoo Sports, Irving to Celtics for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and the rights to Brooklyn’s 2018 1st round pick is complete.

According to The Vertical’s Shams Charania, the Celtics and Cavaliers are in serious trade talks centered around Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas.

Irving, who has reportedly requested a trade from the Cavaliers, is said to be looking for a bigger role elsewhere.

Thomas, 28, is coming off a MVP caliber season with the Celtics, but Irving, 25, is younger and would be an upgrade.

More details to come…

 

 

Joakim Noah: ‘Yao(Ming) was pretty special’

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During his eight-year career, Hall of Famer Yao Ming was a global superstar. The Chinese star helped make the NBA game popular not only in China, but all over Asia. Unfortunately, for Yao, his career came to an end due to foot injuries.

At seven-six, Yao could shoot, run the floor, and block shots. He was a tough guard for anybody, including Knicks C Joakim Noah. The 2014 Defensive Player of the Year discussed what it was like to guard Yao:

“Yao was pretty special. Playing against Yao Ming. Not only was he huge, but he was super skilled, Noah told the Truth Barrel podcast. “When he faced you up, and shot, it was like ‘yo I never saw no sh__’ like that. “Seven-six but skilled. Not seven-six and duh duh. I’m going to face you up and put this little jumper on your a__.”

Yao’s finished his career averaging 19.0 ppg, 9.2 rpg, and 1.9 bpg.

Blake Griffin: ‘I could see [LeBron] going to New York before L.A.’

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Before, during, and after the 2017-18 season, we will be talking about where LeBron James will play. James, 32, can opt of his contract in the summer of 2018. According to Chris Sheridan, James will be looking to leave Cleveland after next season.

Clippers F Blake Griffin gave his thoughts on where LeBron could play after next season to “View from the Cheap Seats” podcast with the Sklar Brothers 

Here is what Griffin said as transcribed by CBS Sports:

“Honestly, I don’t see him coming to L.A. period,” Griffin said. “Listen, again, I have no idea [laughs]. I think something is brewing with him and his group of guys. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I think something’s brewing and they’re going to try to make that work.”

“I could see [LeBron] going to New York before L.A. I still think, when you go to the Garden, it’s a completely different feeling,” Griffin said. “The energy, there seems like there’s just a consistent buzz the entire game. … Even last year when you go play them, it’s still there.”

If James were to play elsewhere, New York would be fun.  Could you imagine how much of a legend James would be if he won a title with the Knicks? They would love him forever in New York!

However, LeBron to Los Angeles(Lakers or Clippers) has been speculated by many, but New York is New York, and The Garden is The Garden.

We’ll see what happens in the summer of 2018!

 

Report: Cavs had deals in place to get Paul George and Eric Bledsoe

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According to FOX Sports’ Chris Broussard, the Cavaliers had a deal in place to get Eric Bledsoe and the number four pick in 2017 NBA Draft from the Suns for Kyrie Irving. The Cavs would have then traded the pick to the Pacers for Paul George.

Here is what Broussard told “The Herd”  with Colin Cowherd as transcribed by Slam Magazine:

“The final straw as to why [Kyrie] wants out of Cleveland… I’m told that the Cavaliers had a deal done heading into the draft,” Broussard said.

“Cleveland would send Kyrie to Phoenix, which does want Kyrie. (Suns owner) Robert Sarver wants Kyrie Irving. […] Phoenix would send Eric Bledsoe and the No. 4 pick back to the Cavaliers.

“The Cavaliers would send the No. 4 pick to Indiana for Paul George. So you’re getting Eric Bledsoe and Paul George for Kyrie Irving. Now, that was going to happen.

“Dan Gilbert goes to LeBron and goes, ‘Look, we’ve got this deal on the table. I’ll do it if you commit long-term to stay in Cleveland.’” […]

“But [LeBron] would not commit, so Dan Gilbert would not do the deal.

“Now, Kyrie Irving finds out about the deal. […] And he rightly assumed that there’s no way the Cavaliers are doing this unless LeBron gives consent.

“That’s why he got mad with LeBron. He thought LeBron was in on it.

“LeBron’s take was more, Look, I’m not trying to trade Kyrie Irving. He’s great. But that’s a heck of a deal—Eric Bledsoe and Paul George. So if you do it, hey, that’s a great deal.

“But Kyrie took it as LeBron wanted him out of there.”

So, if this is true, I blame LeBron James. You had an opportunity to upgrade the roster. Paul George and Eric Bledsoe makes the Cavs a better team. However, LeBron won’t commit.

In the end, Irving was right. The Cavs are in a “peculiar’ position.

Here is the audio. Broussard discusses the proposed deal at 3:25:

Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving’s trade request: ‘A lot of teams have gone through this before’

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When the news came out about Kyrie Irving’s trade request, many were shocked and surprised. The prevailing thought was why would anyone not want to play with LeBron James?

However, Warriors F Kevin Durant told ESPN that trade requests are nothing new in the NBA:

“It’s just a regular NBA problem, right? A lot of teams have gone through this before.  They’ll figure it out. That’s a great organization, a championship organization. They’ll figure it out,” Durant told ESPN.

At the the end of day, Durant does not think it’s a big deal:

“It’s not the end of the world,” Durant said. “Both of those guys won a championship together. They love each other. If Kyrie wants to do something else, that’s on him. I’m sure whatever happens, it’ll work out for the best for both of them. But it’s just a normal NBA problem. It’s just two big stars that it’s happening to,” Durant said.

I would not be surprised if Irving ends up staying in Cleveland. In reality, the Cavs are not going to give Irving away for nothing. They have him under contract for at least two seasons. Therefore, they have all the power. 

Report: LeBron James leaving Cleveland at end of season

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According to Chris Sheridan, LeBron James will be leaving Cleveland at the end of next season. James, 32, who can opt out of his contract in the summer of 2018, relationship with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is said to be “beyond repair,” according to Sheridan.

This is on the heels of an ESPN report that the Cavs were looking for young players in trades involving disgruntled G Kyrie Irving because of the uncertainty with James.

James has a no-trade clause, and reportedly wants to stay in Cleveland for the entire 2017-18 season.

As Ric Bucher points out, Gilbert reportedly donated to Donald Trump ‘s presidential campaign. James was a huge supporter of Hillary Clinton, and has been very critical of Trump in recent days. Who knows how much that will mean moving forward, but it’s something to think about.

Kevin Durant on New York City: ‘The so called Mecca of Basketball’

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Warriors F Kevin Durant is doing some big things off the court. Durant, who recently donated a court in New York City, has been donating courts all around the country through the “Build It And They Will Ball” initiative.  

While KD gave back to NYC, he does not want to play there. 

A fan asked Durant when he is coming to New York. Durant jokingly replied: “Never.”

Durant also called NYC “The so called Mecca of Basketball.” He believes Washington D.C. is the “Mecca of Basketball.” Quick reminder, Durant is from Maryland, so you would expect him to favor D.C.

Durant made a short documentary about his time NYC, and released it on Tuesday

Take a look: